Take-off box for pole vaulting



March 8, 1938. u -r I 2,110,254

TAKE-OFF BOX FOR POLE VAULTING Filed Oct. 6', 1956 INVENTOR t ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application October 6,

3 Claims.

The invention relates to an improved take-off box for pole vaulting, and the object of the invention is to provide a recessed box, or pocket, for receiving the end of the pole, and especially a box which will offer a maximum resistance both to horizontal and vertical thrust of the pole at the take-off end of the box for better safe-guarding the one vaulting.

The invention can best be seen and understood by reference to the drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows in perspective a box embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central vertical section thereof, and

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, l represents the take-01f box and 2 a fragmentary part of a vaulting pole, the end of which is shown in engagement with the box. The box is adapted to be laid upon the ground, or earth, portions of the box being embedded therein, as will later be explained.

The box I comprises a recessed end piece 3, of which 4-4 represents the side edges of the end piece, and 5 its bottom edge. The end piece, when the box is set, occupies a substantially vertical position. The height of the end piece is preferably about eight inches, and its width is preferably six inches. The face of the end piece presents an abutment to horizontal thrust of the pole.

6 is an inclined chute leading to and converging upon the end piece 3 with faces presenting abutments to both vertical and lateral thrust, or engagement, of the pole, and for directing the take- 5 off end of the pole to the end piece.

' The chute 6 has an inclined bottom I. This bottom is made relatively wide at the rear end of the box and lies substantially flush with the top surface of the ground when the box is set. From 40 its rear end the bottom inclines forward, gradually narrowing as approach is made to the bottom edge 5 of the end piece with which the bottom connects. The face of the chute bottom receives and presents an abutment to vertical thrust of the pole.

88 represent the sides of the chute joined to the side edges of the bottom 6 and each occupying a substantially vertical position when the box is set. These sides, starting from the rear end of the chute, gradually increase in width, or height, as approach is made to the side edges 4-4 of the end piece with which the sides connect. The top edges of the sides lie substantially flush with the top surface of the ground. The sides present abutments for receiving lateral engagement of the 1936, Serial No. 104,221.

pole and co-operate with the bottom 6 in directing the take-01f end of the pole to the end piece.

Extending laterally from the top edges of the side 88 of the chute are wings 9-9. These Wings are continued beyond the forward end of the box by an extension l0. Both the wings 9-9, and the extension ID lie flush with the top surface of the ground when the box is set, and cooperate with the bottom 1 of the chute in preventing the box being depressed into the earth when weight is brought to bear upon it.

Displacement of the box in an endwise direction is prevented by means of blades at the fore and aft ends of the box. At the fore end of the box are a set of blades l l-l I which have winged extension from the end piece 3 and lie in the same plane therewith. At the rear end of the box the bottom 1 of the chute is provided with a downturned blade l2. Both the blades ll-l I, and. blade I 2 bite into the ground when the box is set and prevent endwise displacement thereof, and at the same time act to hold in place the earth packed beneath and around the chute and takeoff end of the box. The blades act, also, to brace and reinforce the whole box.

Lateral displacement of the box is prevented by the bearing of the sides 88 of the chute against the adjacent earth.

The box is preferably made of integral nonrusting metal, either by stamping, or casting, although it may be made in separate parts, with preferably welded joints,

In addition to its attaining the objects of the invention previously referred to, the box provides a tight roof over the ground in which it is placed, keeps the covered earth from becoming muddy and soft, and secures for the box a firm foundation.

I claim:

1. A take-off box for pole vaulting comprising, a, recessed take-off end piece with face presenting abutment to horizontal thrust, an inclined chute leading to said end piece with open top substantially flush with the top of said end piece, and with faces presenting abutments to both vertical and lateral thrust of the pole and for directing the take-off end of the pole to said end piece, wings for preventing downward depression of said box when set, and blades for preventing endwise displacement thereof.

2. A take-off box for pole Vaulting comprising, a recessed take-off end piece with face presenting abutment to horizontal thrust, an inclined chute leading to and converging upon said end piece with open top substantially flush with the top of said end piece and with faces presenting abutment to both vertical and lateral thrust of the pole and for directing the take-off end of the pole to said end piece, wings for preventing downward depression of said box when set, and blades for preventing endwise displacement thereof.

3. A take-off box for pole vaulting comprising, a recessed take-off end piece with face presenting abutment to horizontal thrust, an inclined 'chute leading to said end piece with open top substantially flush with the top of said end piece, said chute having a bottom with face inclined upon the bottom of said end piece to connect therewith, said chute having also substantially vertical sides gradually increasing in width and converging upon the sides of said end piece to connect therewith, wings projecting laterally from the sides of said chute for preventing downward depression of said box when set, and blades, respectively, at the opposite ends of said box for preventing endw'ise displacement thereof FRANK EUGENE AUSTIN. 

